A man was gunned down in the parking lot of Metrotown Centre in Burnaby, B.C., on Saturday in what police believe was a targeted incident.

Mounties were called to the busy shopping mall shortly before 6 p.m. with a report of several shots fired.

They discovered a body inside a black BMW SUV parked near the food court. The vehicle's windshield was sprayed with bullet holes.

"The shopping centre was open ... however, there were very few shopping patrons in the parking lot at the time of the incident," Cpl. Dale Carr said in a release.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team was called to take over the case.

Investigators have identified the victim but are not releasing his name pending notification of next of kin. He is a 32-year-old South Asian man who is known to police.

A preliminary examination of the scene by the Lower Mainland District Forensic Identification Section suggests no other vehicle in the vicinity was struck by stray bullets.

Police believe the victim was targeted, but have not confirmed any link to gangs, drugs or organized crime.

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call the IHIT tip line at 1-877-551-IHIT or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.